Washing laundry articles

ABSTRACT

A laundry system having a plurality of washing spinning units. Each unit has an inlet and an outlet. A pump is associated with each outlet for emtying its associated unit. Selection means are provided directing the output of each pump either to the inlet of a successive unit, or to a waste water duct, depending on the number of washing/spinning steps completed.

United States Patent [1 1 Seibt [4 1 Nov. 11, 1975 WASHING LAUNDRYARTICLES [75] Inventor: Klaus Seibt, Ludwigsburg, Germany [73] Assignee:Seikt & Kapp Maschinenfabrik,

Ludwigsburg, Germany [22] Filed: May 23, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 363,154

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 2, 1972 Germany 2226992 [52]US. Cl 8/158; 68/12 R; 68/27 [51] Int. Cl. D06F 31/00 [58] Field ofSearch 8/158; 68/12 R, 27

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS McLagan 68/27 X FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 820,385 9/1959 United Kingdom 68/27 895,7119/1962 United Kingdom 68/27 Primary E.raminerPeter Feldman AssistantE.\'aminerPhilip R. Coe

[57] 7 ABSTRACT A laundry system having a plurality of washing spinningunits. Each unit has an inlet and an outlet. A pump is associated witheach outlet for emtying its associated unit; Selection means areprovided directing the output of each pump either to the inlet of a successive unit, or to a waste water duct, depending on the number ofwashing/spinning steps completed.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 3 US Patent Nov. 11, 1975 5116612 013 3,918,112

Fig.2

WASHING LAUNDRY ARTICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION times. The samewater is thereby first used for rinsing,

then for washing and then steeping or soaking. There are methods whereinthe detergent solution passes in a constant flow through individualwashing mechine units i.e., the so-called countercurrent methodaccording to German Pat. No. 827 060. The individual machine units areconnected by pipelines, and water is supplied to the unit which justrinses. The water then passes through further units for rinsing, washingprewashing, soaking and is then discharged into the effluent duct. Sincethe flow of detergent solution cannot be interrupted, spinning cannot becarried out in such machines.

For spinning it is necessary that the detergent solution be emptied fromone machine unit but since the detergent solution flows through theunits in a natural incline, a single unit cannot be emptied.

Furthermore, there are methods which operate with individual machinesand which pump the solution after the washing or rinsing step into atank and draw it off from there at the appropriate time, according toGerman Pat. specification No. 1 124 914. However, when re-using severaldetergent solutions a special tank with pipes and valves is required foreach solution, whereby the expenses rises steeply, and when using onlyone detergent solution the saving in water, heat and detergent means isnot so great as in the case of the countercurrent method. In singlemachines of this kind spinning can be carried out however since duringthe change of detergent solution the machine is emptied by a pump orwaste pipe.

The present invention is concerned with the problem of providing amethod overcoming the disadvantages and defects of the prior artsystems.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method forwashing laundry employing multiple units, wherein liquid may be used inone or more of the stages of each unit and in one or more units, so thatincreased savings in fuel, water, detergents, soaps, etc. can beeffected.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a moreeconomical and simple method for continuously operating multiple laundryunits.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdisclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect of the present invention, thereis a machine for washing and spinning laundry articles in a plurality ofwashing/spinning steps, comprising a plurality of washing/spinningunits, each unit having an inlet and an outlet, a pump associated witheach outlet for emptying its associated unit, and selection means fordirecting the output of each pump either to the inlet of a successiveunit, or to a waste water duct, depending on the number ofwashing/spinning steps completed.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a washingmethod for laundry articles utilizing a machine such as discribed above,wherein the same detergent solution is used for two or more washingsteps in different washing/spinning units. The washing process or cycleof operation of each machine is divided into single operational stagesof equal .time length, wherein the temporal beginnning of the cycle isstaggered so that one machine unit is always carrying out the change ofliquid whilst the other units wash, rinse or soak. The temporalbeginning of the .cycle in the individual washing/spinning units arestaggered so that the liquid after passing into the nextwashing/spinning unit is used there in a stage which in the cycle liesin time relationship prior to the stage for which it was used in thepreceding washing/spinning unit, and that the number of washing steps ofthe washing process is determined so that a continuous working'of themachine during two or more cycles is achieved.

In one embodiment of the invention, an additional tank is attached tothe machine and can be selectively connected to each washing/spinningunit as well as serving to receive the rinsing and washing solutionwhich is to be re-used in another stage.

It is advantageous for the electrical control for all units to becarried out jointly, preferably by a step-bystep action wherein the timeof each stage can be varied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Particular embodiments of the presentinvention will now be described, by way of example, with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a washing/spinning machine consisting of 5washing/spinning units with connecting pipes and accessories;

FIG. 2 illustrates the machine according to FIG. 1 provided with a tankfor receiving the rinsing and washing solutions;

FIG. 3 is a wash diagram for illustrating the passage "of the solutionsthrough the machine;

FIG. 4 is a washing diagram for illustrating the passage of a singlesolution through the washing/spinning units.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The washing/spinning machine according toFIG. 1 has, for example, five washing/spinning units 1-5, eachconsisting of a tub with a drum 6, a drive motor 7 for washing and adrive motor 8 for spinning, a steam pipe 9, a water supply pipe 10, apump 11 for emptying the tub with a valve 12 connected at an outlet sidefor connection to a waste water duct, and a valve 13 connected at theoutlet side for connection to the tube of the next washing/spinningunit. All units are controlled by a common automatic mechanism 14.

The detergent solution can thus be conveyed from the tub 6 through thepump 11 and valve 12 into the waste water duct or from the tub 6 throughthe pump 11 and valve 13 into the adjacent unit.

At the end of a washing stage e.g. of the first rinsing process, thedetergent solution can be pumped out of the unit 1 into the adjoiningunit 2 and can be used there for the third washing step. This unit 2which has previously conveyed its solution to the unit 3, is thus emptywhen the solution from unit 1 arrives.

In the machine according to FIG. 2, a tank 20 with a connecting pipe 21and shut-off valve 22 is added to the components already indicated inFIG. 1. With this arrangement, the waste water can be fed into the tank20 and used again for the soaking step. An even greater saving in water,heat and detergent is achieved here than in the embodiment without atank.

It can be seen from the diagram in FIG. 3 how a cycle of operationforming a total washing process can be carried out with a repeated useof the liquid with the washing/spinning machine according to thisinvention.

The ringed numbers 1-5 in FIG. 3 indicate the individualwashing/spinning units having individual cycles of operation which areconnected together in a successive order, as heretofore described. Aconnection is also provided between unit 5 and unit 1. The numbers to 45are uniform intervals or steps in which a complete washing cycle isformed, which itself comprises a sequence of uniform stages for soaking,washing, rinsing, etc. The letter W represents a washing stage, letter Srepresents a rinse stage,, letter E represents a soaking stage, andletter B represents the loading or unloading operation.

Stage 45 is followed by stage 1 so that a continuous washing process isachieved which could be continued indefinitely.

From FIG. 3 it can be seen that cold water is supplied to unit 1 at step39. This cold water is used for the third rinsing S 3. At step 43 theliquid is pumped round into unit 2 and used there for the second rinsingS 2. At step 2, the liquid is then pumped round into unit 3 and used forthe first rinsing S 1. Any excess liquid is then discharged in the wasteduct. At step 6, the liquid is then pumped round into unit 4 and usedfor the third washing. The washing agents can be added to this liquidwhich may also be heated up. At step 10, the solution is then pumpedfrom unit 4 into unit 5 and used for the second washing W 2. At step 14,the solution is then pumped round again into unit 1 which has meanwhilebeen loaded with a new batch of laundry, and used for the first washingW l. The washing steps W 1 and W 2 are likewise heated. At step 18 thesolution is pumped round into unit 2. which has meanwhile also beenloaded with a new lot of laundry, and used for steeping E. Fresh wateris then added to cool down the solution. At step 22, the solution passesinto the waste duct. The shaded surfaces are the spinning stages,pumping hereby taking place together with a spinning of the laundry. Bis the loading and unloading stage.

FIG. 3 also shows that five different liquids may be fed to the machineto work in the machine simultaneously and flow in succession through theindividual washing/spinning units wherein, as with the knowncounter-current method, the clear water is first used for the lastrinsing step, then for the further rinsing steps and finally for thewashing steps and steeping E. The conveyance not only takes place in aconstant flow but also stepwise according to any washing stage. The tubis thereby emptied and the washing can be spun in the machine.

Furthermore, according to the diagram of FIG. 3, the

. beginning of the change of solution at the five units must bestaggered by one-fifth of the duration of an individual washing stage sothat the washing cycle consisting of several washing steps can becontinued without interruption. It is thereby achieved that one unit isalways changing the detergent solution whilst the other units arewashing or carrying out one of the other process stages.

Furthermore, it can be seen from this diagram that the beginning of thecycle of operation is staggered at the individual washing/spinningunits, namely so that the temporal beginning of the washing cycle in theindividual washing/spinning units is staggered so that the liquid afterpassing into the next washing/spinning unit is used there for a washingstep which in the cycle is in time before the washing stage for which itwas used in the preceding washing/ spinning unit.

The diagram also shows that with five units nine washing stages of fivesteps or intervals in length are necessary so that the washing processcan change from. the ninth washing stage unloading and loading" B intothe first washing stage steeping E without any interruption or jump.This continuous changeover is neces-' sary since due to the staggeredwashing times the washing stages in the individual machine units are notfinished at the same time.

In four machine units, seven stages are necessary and i with six machineunits, eleven stages. The number of washing steps is thus constantlyfixed so that a continuous operation of the machine is ensured. That isthe number of stages may be calculated as twice the number of units lessone.

FIG. 4 illustrates the manner in which the liquid is used successivelyfor the above-mentioned washing 2 2 steps. The scale on the left-handside indicates the level of the liquid. The solution level is herebyrelated to the dry weight of the laundry, thus for example 1 S meansthat in relation to 1 kg of washing, 5 kg, equalling 5 litres of water,are located in the washing/spinning unit.

4 is reached in the rinsing step S 3. Since spinning is carried outafter S 3 a level of 1 z 6 arises in the rinsing step S 2. Spinning islikewise carried out after S 2 and at number 2 water is discharged inthe duct so that at S 1 the level in no higher than I 5. At the washingstage W 3 the level is 1 z 5 since spinning is not carried.

out, but only pumping. At number 3 detergents are added. At the washingsteps W 2 and W 1 the level is likewise 1 5. Heating is carried outduring the washing stages W 1, W 2, W 3. Atnumber 4 fresh water flows inup to the level 1 5 in order to cool down the solution. The level risesto 1 2 7, S in the soaking step E. At number 5 the water is passed intothe waste duct.

The volume of water, indicated by number 6, passes with the laundry tothe washing stage W 1 and the volume of water indicated by the number 7comes with the laundry from the rinsing stage S. 2.

What we claim is:

1. A method of laundering articles in a machine having a plurality ofwashing/spinning units each having an identical cycle of operationincluding sequential stages of soaking, washing, rinsing and spinningcomprising the steps of feeding liquid to each unit at the last stagethereof, withdrawing liquid from each unit at the first stage thereofand transferring liquid at each of the in:

termediate stages from each unit to its next successive unit,dividingthe cycle of operation in each unit into equal intervals and allottingto each stage an equal time length, staggering the beginning of thecycle of operation of each of the units so that at least one unitcarries out the transfer of liquid while the other units carry out oneof said sequential stages, timing the interval between the beginning ofthe cycle of operation of the individual units so that the liquidtransferred from each unit passes into the next succeeding unit at thestage in the cycle of operation for the succeeding unit lying in timerelationship prior to the stage in which it was used in the precedingunit, and determining the number of stages in the cycle of operation sothat a continuous working of the machine is achieved wherein the sameliquid is used for two or more stages in two or more units.

2. The method of claim 1 including the step of adjusting the time lengthof each stage to conform to the nature of the laundry to be washed.

3. The method of claim 1 including the step of storing the liquid priorto its transfer from one unit to another.

4. The method according to claim 1 including the step of controlling theamount of liquid transferred from one washing unit to another.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein each unit is staggered with respect toits preceeding unit so that each stage is offset by an amount equal tothe ratio of the number of units in the machine.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein each unit is provided with a number ofstages equal to twice the number of units less one.

1. A METHOD OF LAUNDERING ARTICLES IN A MACHINE HAVING A PLURALITY OFWASHING/SPINNING UNITS EACH HAVING AN IDENTICAL CYCLE OF OPERATIONINCLUDING SEQUENTIAL STAGES OF SOAKING, WASHING, RINSING AND SPINNINGCOMPRISING THE STEPS OF FEEDING LIQUID TO EACH UNIT AT THE LAST STAGETHEREOF, WITHDRAWING LIQUID FROM EACH UNIT AT THE FIRST STAGE THEREOFAND TRANSFERRING LIQUID AT EACH OF THE INTERMEDIATE STAGES FROM EACHUNIT TO ITS NEXT SUCCESSIVE UNIT, DIVIDING THE CYCLE OF OPERATION INEACH UNIT INTO EQUAL INTERVALS AND ALLOTTING TO EACH STAGE AN EQUAL TIMELENGTH, STAGGERING THE BEGINNING OF THE CYCLE OF OPERATION OF EACH OFTHE UNITS SO THAT AT LEAST ONE UNIT CARRIES OUT THE TRANSFER OF LIQUIDWHILE THE OTHER UNITS CARRY OUT ONE OF SAID SEQUENTIAL STAGES, TIMINGTHE INTERVAL BETWEEN THE BEGINNING OF THE CYCLE OF OPERATION OF THEINDIVIDUAL UNITS SO THAT THE LIQUID TRANSFERRED FROM EACH UNIT PASSESINTO THE NEXT SUCCEDING UNIT AT THE STAGE IN THE CYCLE OF OPERATION FORTHE SUCCEEDING UNIT LYING IN TIME RELATIONSHIP PRIOR TO THE STAGE INWHICH IT WAS USED IN THE PRECEEDING UNIT, AND DETERMINING THE NUMBER OFSTAGES IN THE CYCLE OF OPERATION SO THAT A CONTINUOUS WORKING OF THEMACHINE IS ACHIEVED WHEREIN THE SAME LIQUID IS USED OFR TWO OR MORESTAGES IN TWO OR MORE UNITS.
 2. The method of claim 1 including the stepof adjusting the time length of each stage to conform to the nature ofthe laundry to be washed.
 3. The method of claim 1 including the step ofstoring the liquid prior to its transfer from one unit to another. 4.The method according to claim 1 including the step of controlling theamount of liquid transferred from one washing unit to another.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 wherein each unit is staggered with respect to itspreceeding unit so that each stage is offset by an amount equal to theratio of the number of units in the machine.
 6. The method of claim 1wherein each unit is provided with a number of stages equal to twice thenumber of units less one.